Lord Justice Mummery, who headed a panel of three judges at the Court of Appeal, was ruling on a row between two homeowners over a 3.7 metre wide cobbled area used for parking and access between their properties –an original farm and a barn conversion.

The parties are fighting over the estimated £160,000 costs of the case which will go to another hearing unless they agree.

Keith James, of Great Jumps Farm, near Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, established he was the owner of the strip at a county court hearing last year.

But yesterday his neighbours, Andrew and Cheryl Bradford, of Great Jumps Barn, won an appeal establishing them as the titleholders.

The dispute has been continuing for six years at five court hearings. Mr James says he has already spent around £60,000.

Lord Justice Mummery said: "There are too many calamitous neighbour disputes in the courts. Greater use should be made of the services of local mediators."